Aircraft Carrier Group Build (July 07 to July 2010)

Dan,

 Paintshop eh?  I was wondering what program folks used to create group badges.  How do you set up the size, as the images are less than a full 8.5 by 11 inches?

On a modeling note, I sort of like waterline ships myself, as they are a bit easier to display.  The Trumpeter USS Saratoga that I am building comes with a nice water display base to sit the ship on.  I also picked up the Trumpeter 1/700 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1978 version, and it too includes the water display base.  A very nice option in my opinion.  When I built the USS hornet, heading out on the Doolittle raid, I mounted the ship to a piece of walnut with good results as well.  The only downside to a full hull build is that you have to be cautious of the propellers (or screws as we called them in the Navy) on the bottom as well as your planes on top when displaying the ship, especially if it will be moved from time to time.

Hey Scotty, yup I use Paintshop Pro 9 (I just don't have the bucks for PhotoShop) and the resizing is pretty simple, you just go to Image >>> Resize and than enter the size (in pixels that you want), but it is easier if you wait for resizing till all the rest is done.

So what is the "rest", you ask, well after selecting a nice image you want, you add a new layer for the text (actually I make a new layer for every line of text, so that I can slide and rearange them as much as I want), if you are satisfied with the badge, you merge all the layers into one, after this you can't change anything anymore on the design and than you resize to the size you want it to be.

About the waterline model, yes, they are easier to display, however in this particular case I would choose this option because there is a huge fault on the bottom of the hull (I suspect that's the reason the previous owner hadn't even started the kit).  The mold for the hull  is obviously a three-part mold, but the bottom part isn't aligned properly with the other two molds, the result is that a big area of the bottom is lower (if the hull is held inverted that is) than the rest of it (am I making any sense ?  A picture will be better of course, so that will follow).  Fixing this is possible but would require a lot of work and energy.  So, I'm still not entirely sure what road I'll go.

However, Sunday there is a model event that will have lots of stands, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to resist temptation (haha, beginning of the month, the wallet is still full :D) if I see a nice model, so that might even be a nice little AC which would replace good old monsieur Charles in this GB :) 

Dan,

Thanks for the information, and good luck at your event with your kit search.  I once read a comment that Heller in french means "can not be built".  It sounds like the lower hull is probably better left off, or in this case, removed.  Keep the group and myself posted on your progress.

hey

sorry  been away for long time since been busy with my job and renetly had shutdown at my work where i have to work more than 8 hrs everyday.  argh   now im all done but still have other stuffs to do   will get start on my carrier soon  hopefully 

Greetings all!

Just checking in to see how my group is doing.  The past week has been hectic at work and I do not even start working thirteen hour days until Sunday.  There will definitely be a slowdown on my model production until late October at best, but I will keep checking in and will provide updates when I do make some progress.  I am going to try to take a photo or two of where I am presently with the Saratoga (the flight deck is nearing completion, the hull is mostly assembled and painted, and the island and smokestack are essentially done).  Enjoy the ride, and keep building!

I havent start on my yet  been working alot and trying to finish up the gb im in,  and guess what?  i won a free model of USS Ronald Regan from Italeri from raffle at the model show.  nice carrier  prolly will do it after im done with the uss hornet for this gb. 

I apologize for not getting in a posting lately, but the thirteen hour work days are in full swing, and I have been a little preoccupied on my one day off each week.  Enough complaining already, here are some photos that I took just before the outage started.  The first shows the aft end of the flight deck with the new "nets" installed on one side, and the other side cleaned up and ready for them to be added.

Here is a full view of the flight deck with the island temporarily installed...

and here is a closeup of the island itself...

Since the photos were taken, I have not advanced too much other than to finish installing the nets around the flight deck, and to paint all of the nets grey.  Hopefully by this time next month I will be back to more regular working hours, and progressing much faster.  Keep the group posted on your progress as well.

mph34,

 As I was a participant in your Farewell F-14 group build, it would be an honor to have you in this group that I started.  This is my first attempt at starting one on my own, and so far I am pleased with the turnout.  If you read some of my postings you will pick up on the fact that I am really busy with work right now so I am not getting online as often as I would like.  Please do not let that discourage you as I still try to look in from time to time, and I will be glad to answer any questions that I can as a former carrier sailor.  I have added you to the list on post #1, so just let me know when you pick a kit and a scale, as you said, there is plenty of time.

Greetings.. Im back to modeling after almost 30years (yikes!).. starting with some of the same kits I built as a kid.. meaning, Revell/Monogram US birds and ships. I have a Monogram 1:700 (I think, box just says 16" long) USS Nimitz. Could I join in the GB? Im not very good, will be a straight OOB of an easy (?) build, but would love to start a ship and learn some stuff... thanks!

JMart,

Actually, I was hoping to add another name to our list to get off of thirteen participants (yes, I am superstitious about that number).  I will get you added to post #1 immediately.  Out of the box is not a problem, I started going a little crazy with details on my USS Saratoga, but that is just how I usually build.  A 30-year layoff is quite a while, and there have been a lot of advancements just in the past few years.  Please feel free to ask any questios along the way, as I want this build to be a learning experience for all.  Last, but certainly not least, welcome aboard!

Um, was hoping my first post would be more positive... but... have been looking and dry fitting my monogram 1:700 nimitz, and the deck is seriously flawed.. sort of swewed to the side, and I noticed a large "dimple" on deck.. me thinks the previous owner left the box and/or deck too close to a lightbulb?? In any case, I have a backup, a better kit (I think), dragon essex 1:700 scale.

Question: I usually prime my aircraft with light grey, tanks with flat black... what do you use for "primer"? I use enamels... do I prime with usual light grey, then AB gunship grey (and others)? Or do you prime with light coats of gunship grey to begin?

JMart and all,

Once again I apologize for being missing in action for a while, but I just spent the last thirteen days in a row working my thirteen hour schedule.  It looks like the end is near though with our outage, and I will hopefully be back to building in another week or two.  Of course, just because I am out for a while does not mean that the rest of you can not update the group on your progress.

Back to the question at hand.  I usually do not prime anything that I build.  Just a habit that I started some thirty-five years ago with my first kit.  The only things that I  have primed thus far are metal figures and a car that I was painting with automotive lacquer paint.  My biggest drawback to priming is that it is an additional layer or two of paint to help obscure details.  This is just my though.  If you are going to prime, I would go with a light grey for anything that will end up haze grey, or some other variant of grey in the end.  As far as enamels or acrylic paints are concerned, use what you are the most comfortable with.  I have been using more and more acrylics the past few years as the fumes are so much less and dissipate much faster.

  If you look at the photos of my flight deck on the Saratoga, I first airbrushed Acryl wood mixed with white then over coated with a Mahogany stain (that is what was used on flight decks in that era).  I then "weathered"  by wet-sanding the deck with 1500 grit paper to take away some of the stain.  It is still a bit glossy from adding the decals, but I will dull coat it and weather it some more. 

I hope that this helps a little, and please feel free to ask any questions that you might have, and I will try to get back more often in the near future.

hi Scott... I also got busy with other things and real life keeps getting in the way... thanks for the prming info, I did use light gray for the deck/hull, light coats... I have to move my work area in the basement as it is too close to the (now operatinal) furnace. I also want to prime some armor and a couple a/c before I close the spray booth for the winter (located in an unheated attached garage area).

Anyways, I still want to attempt to build the Monogram Nimitz, which is really smaller than 1:720 (?). main deck was warped, I spent some time under warm water trying to make it straight... I also got (thanks to Squadron sale prices) the 1:700 Italieri Admiral Kuznetsov (Tbilisi) as a modern carrier backup. Better kit, better molds, better detail. Will be starting late winter/early spring... thanks again for your help, sorry I cannot build anything yet!

cheers, Jim

user="scorpr2" the 2 ships I served on, the MIDWAY (CV-41) and the SARATOGA (CV-60).  Thanks, Bill

Good to see someone else who was on the Midway. I was on board from 87 till 89. Just as a side note, I built the Midway a few years ago and built the "doghouse" to help it look a little more like it did during my time aboard.

http://www.midwaysailor.com/eddiemiller/eddiemiller-004b.jpg

Also, if you're looking for any photos of the Roosevelt, here's a few.

http://www.vaq136.com/carriers/fdr.html

   Eddie

Well, it is good to see that some of you are still around, as I was starting to get worried (almost like when my son is out late with his friends).  Thanks for the links Eddie!  Those are some nice photos of the Roosevelt.   I am just about in position to start making some headway again on the Saratoga, and outside of travelling back to God's country for Thanksgiving, I should have some time this next week to make some progress.  Keep the group posted on what you are doing, and as always, feel free to ask any questions as we continue through this group build. 

Im still around   been gone for awhile cuz of virus seem sunk my hard drive so had to format the hard drive.    i havent start on my carrier yet since im trying to finish up some gb plus the job im working is driving me nuts!  Also   cleaning out the basement and try to rearrange my workdesk and putting models box on selves since it was all over the basement   oopies   guess i need to hire maid lol. 

Scott   great job on ur flight deck!   very impressive and almost looks realastic  (sp)

Everyone  I was watching good tv show called  quest of sunken ships on Miliarty (sp)  or history channel   suggest you to check it out.  its on wednesday night at umm 8 or 9 EST.   

ps  for some reason i cant spell right     guess im way too tired since just got home from work   so better hit the sack.

All,

I made little progress on the Saratoga over the holiday as travel and work on a kit for a co-worker took up the majority of my time.  I plan on airbrushing a dull coat on the flightdeck next, and I am still trying to figure out exactly what the rigging on the island looked like.  The reference books that I own and the photos that I have found on the internet show next to nothing.  I picked up the Squadron Signal book on the earlier carrier and one of the line drawings shows a tremendous amount of lines running everywhere.  A few do not seem realistic considering where they are going (out on the far forward and aft ends of the flightdeck), so I am trying to figure out what I really need to install.  It also appears that the lines changed over time, so this is not helping me.  Anyway, this is where I am, and I will continue to update the group as I go forward.  Once again, please feel free to keep posting your progress as well, and do not hesitate to ask if there is anything that I can help  with.

Greetings All!

Just updating my progress as in the past few days I managed to decal and touch up the smoke stack, and then dull coated this and the flight deck.  I should be moving forward on some additional construction later this week.  I will attempt to get some photos taken and posted as well. 

Don't be shy, feel free to update the group on YOUR progress as well.

Season's Greetings to All!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Safe and Happy New Year! 

I am taking a few days off over the holidays and have been working diligently on a commissioned piece, then I will shift my focus back to the Saratoga.  I am presently debating what to glue together next to allow me to add the details that I want to put in place.  I am also giving thought to making this a full hull model, even though I really like the water display base that came with the kit.  As it is now winter here in the North, I am going to be challenged to find enough sunlight to take some decent progress photos, but that is something else for me to work on while I am off.

Traveller,

I understand your challenges, and I just accepted a new position at my place of employment today.  Remember that we do have until November on this build, but if your challenges between now and then become too great, let me know and I can remove you from the group.  I would prefer that you stay, so I will give some time for things to settle down for you in order to let you make an informed decision.  Best wishes to you and your family this New Year!

I have made some progress the past few days as the deck is now attached to the sides of the hull.  I have also started the assembly of the air wing.  I prefer 1:48 scale for biplanes so the ones I am building in 1:700 are a new challenge for me.  They are going together fairly well (at least the first three have anyway), but the wings are incredibly small.  I have yet to figure out how to attach the landing gear.  I did receive a portable photo station for Christmas from my son just for taking photos of my models.  I have never seen such a thing before, but as soon as I get a little more done, I will put it to use to show the group where I am with my project.  Have a great weekend, and please don't be shy about updating the rest of us on your progress!

More Power Scotty wrote:

Traveller, I understand your challenges, and I just accepted a new position at my place of employment today.  Remember that we do have until November on this build, but if your challenges between now and then become too great, let me know and I can remove you from the group.  I would prefer that you stay, so I will give some time for things to settle down for you in order to let you make an informed decision.  Best wishes to you and your family this New Year!

Thanks for the advice mate!! I needed to sit down and let things settle. Now I will strip back the hull and start again!!!!! Can we have a bit more time, as the voices in my head said we needed to go on a trip this year, just a small trip.

Traveller,

As it is only January, I do not want to extend a November deadline just yet, but I will certainly entertain the motion later in the year if it becomes necessary.

 All,

 After another BIG letdown on Monday night , I have managed over the course of the week to build my airwing.  Thirty-three aircraft in all, and all of them possessing at least three parts (fuselage and lower wing, upper wing, and landing gear) and six of them with four parts each.  As I mentioned previously, a lot of work in a small scale.  I started painting the upper wings this evening, but took a break to attend a meeting.  I will still try to finish those upper wings tonight so that I can work on the aluminum finish on the rest of the planes this weekend.

No promises, but I will see about getting some photos taken soon.  Probably after I finish the planes completely.  As always, I would love to hear how the rest of you are progressing.  Have a great weekend!

I think I'll change my entry to a 1/700 scale uss Independence. I'll hopefully be getting it this weekend so I will get started soon.